Four-goal hero Forrest abgparttoplayfor Scots, insists Mcfadden
No-one made a more compelling case over the weekend for inclusion in the Scotland starting line-up against Israel than Celtic winger James Forrest.
His stunning four-goal contribution to the Scottish champions’ 6-0 win at St Johnstone on Sunday delivered an opportune reminder to international boss Alex Mcleish of the 27-year-old’s abilities.
To the surprise of many, Forrest was an unused substitute for both of Scotland’s matches last month against Belgium and Albania. But Mcleish’s assistant James Mcfadden insists he could have a key role to play when the Nations League campaign resumes in Haifa on Thursday night.
“There is nobody here to make up the numbers and that’s what’s great about the squad at the minute,” said Mcfadden.
“We are looking at how we go into the game on Thursday and we want players that are playing at the top of their level and scoring goals. It was fantastic for James on Sunday. He’s a great player and we want guys coming here saying ‘I want to be the man – I want to play.’
“I’m delighted for him, and it’s a great problem to have that we need to find ways to fit players into your team.
“He has played a number of positions for Celtic. He has played as a striker, as a wingback, wide right and wide left.
“He’s a good football player. We played him as a striker in a 3-5-2 when we won in Hungary last season.
“Football players now are adaptable. James is disciplined, he is hard-working and can play in a number of positions. You saw on Sunday when he gets running at people he causes problems. That’s what you want to see. We know he’s a good player and it’s fantastic he can go and score four goals in a game from a wide position.
“when you’ve got guys that are flying at club level and are desperate to come away and do well.
“We have got a fantastic chance of qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in 20 years – it will be 22 years by the time it comes around. Everybody wants to be apartofit.
“James didn’t play in the last two games but he was brilliant around the squad, his attitude is superb. We’ve got no complaints with him. He’s not going to go and get carried away with himself.
“He has been playing for Celtic for a long time and he understands the pressures and expectation there. It would be difficult to score four goals every game, but he wants to have a major impact on games anyway. He knows he’s capable of it and it’s no surprise to us.”